The General Assembly of North Carolina declares it to be its
purpose to provide access to legal representation for domestic violence victims
in certain kinds of civil matters. The General Assembly finds that such
representation can best be provided in an efficient, effective, and economic
manner through established legal services programs in this State. (2004-186, s. 4.1.)

§ 7A-474.17. Definitions.

The following definitions shall apply throughout this
Article, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Domestic violence victim" means a
resident of North Carolina that has been subjected to acts of domestic violence
as defined in G.S. 50B-1. A resident is not required to seek a protective order
under Chapter 50B of the General Statutes to qualify as a domestic violence
victim under this Article.

(2) "Legal assistance" means the provision of
any legal services, as defined by Chapter 84 of the General Statutes,
consistent with this Article. Provided, that all legal services provided
hereunder shall be performed consistently with the Rules of Professional
Conduct promulgated by the North Carolina State Bar. Provided, further, that no
funds appropriated under this Article shall be used for lobbying to influence
the passage or defeat of any legislation before any municipal, county, state,
or national legislative body.

(3) "Established legal services program"
means the following not-for-profit corporations using State funds to serve the
counties listed: Pisgah Legal Services, serving Buncombe, Henderson, Madison,
Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania Counties; and Legal Aid of North Carolina;
or any successor entity or entities of the named organizations, or, should any
of the named organizations dissolve, the entity or entities providing
substantially the same services in substantially the same service area. (2004-186, s. 4.1; 2008-194, s. 3(c).)

§ 7A-474.18. Eligible activities and limitations.

(a) Eligible Activities. - Funds appropriated under
this Article shall be used only for the following purposes:

(1) To provide legal assistance to domestic violence
victims.

(2) To provide education to domestic violence victims
regarding their rights and duties under the law.

(3) To involve the private bar in the representation of
domestic violence victims pursuant to this Article.

(b) Eligible Cases. - The funds shall be prioritized
by each legal services program to serve the greatest number of eligible
clients, with emphasis placed on representation of clients needing legal
assistance with proceedings pursuant to Chapter 50B of the General Statutes.
Legal assistance shall be provided to eligible clients under this Article only
in the following types of cases:

(1) Actions for protective orders issued pursuant to
Chapter 50B of the General Statutes;

(2) Child custody and visitation issues; and

(3) Legal services which ensure the safety of the
client and the client's children.

(c) Limitations. - No funds appropriated under this
Article shall be used for any of the following purposes:

(1) To provide legal assistance with respect to any
criminal proceeding; or

(2) To provide legal assistance to any prisoner within
the Division of Adult Correction of the Department of Public Safety with regard
to the terms of that person's incarceration. (2004-186,
s. 4.1; 2011-145, s. 19.1(h); 2012-83, s. 16.)

§ 7A-474.19. Funds.

Funds to provide representation pursuant to this Article
shall be provided to the North Carolina State Bar for provision of direct
services by and support of the established legal services programs. The North
Carolina State Bar shall allocate these funds directly to each of the
established legal services programs with Pisgah Legal Services receiving the
allocation for Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania
Counties. Funds shall be allocated to each program based on the counties served
by that program using the following formula:

(1) Twenty percent (20%) based on a fixed equal dollar
amount for each county.

(2) Eighty percent (80%) based on the rate of civil
actions filed pursuant to Chapter 50B of the General Statutes in that county.

The North Carolina State Bar shall not use any of these funds
for its administrative costs. (2004-186, s. 4.1; 2008-194,
s. 3(d).)

§ 7A-474.20. Records and reports.

The established legal services programs shall keep
appropriate records and make periodic reports, as requested, to the North
Carolina State Bar. The North Carolina State Bar shall report annually to the
Chairs of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public
Safety on the amount of the funds disbursed and the use of the funds by each
legal services program receiving funds. The report to the Chairs of the Joint
Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety shall be made by January
15 of each year beginning January 15, 2006. (2004-186,
s. 4.1; 2013-360, s. 18B.5.)